Help! Squeaky Steering Driving me Nutty

[davidhite]

I've been plagued with a squeaky steering wheel on my 08 sedan since a couple of months after I bought it new in August. Its a quiet but obnoxious eeeeeeeee-eeeeeeeee sound that only happens when the outside temp is above about 50 and/or the car is warmed-up. It is quite audible when driving slowly. It is obscured by road noise and engine noise as speed increases.

I originally thought it was something in the suspension, as it would squeak when turning or going slowly over bumps. It took me several months to figure out that it was actually coming from the steering column. I can actually sit with the car turned off moving the the wheel slowly back and forth to make the squeak happen.

I've been to the dealer 3 times. They lubed the firewall boot but it had no effect. I believe it is coming from the electric power steering box under the dash. The last trip to the dealer resulted in a response of "they all do that" and "that's within Toyota tolerances". I find that hard to believe. I'll be going to see the "head" service manager Friday.

Has anyone else experienced this type of squeak?

Have you had any luck getting it repaired under warranty?

Thanks,

[1NZYaris1]

Mines fine , have you tried to feeding the Gerbiles , they might stop if you feed them

[Forrest]

Dealer said they all do that? Doubt that as I cant remember reading any posting on this site about it....and it certainly would have been mentioned at one time or another....

[davidhite]

I agree, I would think there would be something posted about it somewhere on the Internet. I can't find anything.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by davidhite

I agree, I would think there would be something posted about it somewhere on the Internet. I can't find anything.

That would drive me insane.

In the the service manual Steering section there is a symptom that sounds like your problem:

"Friction sound occurs when steering wheel turned during low speed driving"

The remedy is to check and replace if necessary: Power steering motor or Steering column assembly

[davidhite]

Thanks CTScott, I'll bring that up to the service manager.

[davidhite]

Originally Posted by CTScott

That would drive me insane.

In the the service manual Steering section there is a symptom that sounds like your problem:

"Friction sound occurs when steering wheel turned during low speed driving"

The remedy is to check and replace if necessary: Power steering motor or Steering column assembly

I found the service manual here.

It also has this in the Troubleshooting section on page 46:

"High pitched sound (squealing sound) occurs when steering wheel turned slowly when vehicle stopped"

The remedy is to replace the steering motor.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by davidhite

I found the service manual here.

It also has this in the Troubleshooting section on page 46:

"High pitched sound (squealing sound) occurs when steering wheel turned slowly when vehicle stopped"

The remedy is to replace the steering motor.

I saw that part as well. I missed the part in your description, where you mention it doing it sitting still as well.

[Forrest]

So it this is happening, the dealers SHOULD know what is in the service manual regarding this sound and the replacement of the steering motor. It appears that the dealers did not know what Toyota recommends for this and if they 'all do this' the dealer you went to obviously has never repaired this problem ! Dumb dealer for sure.

[davidhite]

I went to the dealer today and demonstrated the squeak to two service mgrs and a tech. I showed each of them the page from the service manual that describes the problem and how to fix it. They still seemed puzzled and had to check another brand new yaris to make sure it didn't squeak (sheesh). After all this they agreed it would be a valid warranty claim.

I have an appointment Tuesday. I just hope they don't mess something else up while trying to fix this.

[Forrest]

This dealer you have...sounds like their service department people need some further training and you are the one to teach them. Send Toyota a bill !